NSW brand ARCC has finalised an incredible story as it completes the first self-sufficiently produced hydrogen bus in Australia
New South Wales manufacturer ARCC has made history, announcing it has completed its all-Australian hydrogen fuel cell bus using a world-first design.
ARCC says the announcement marks the first self-sufficiently produced zero-emissions vehicles of its type.
The completed prototype places the nation as a firm front-runner in the global renewable transport industry, proving Australia can develop its own end-to-end innovative industry to help meet zero emission targets.
ARCC managing director Peter Murley says his company had led the way in utilising world class technology and design to overtake multi-nationals in the global market.
“This marks a turning point for Australia and our commercial transport sector’s approach to addressing climate change,” he says.
“The bolted module design is the first of its kind and demonstrates the capacity we have in the zero-emission space, and that Australia has a self-sufficient solution to overcome current supply chain constraints.
“Our technology is based on the ethos of using less resources to do more; less labour hours thanks to the modular design, lower energy requirements to operate thanks to the ARCC light weight structures less maintenance, less wear and tear on components.
“The implications are transformative for modern manufacturing in Australia, it means we can look at getting more zero-emission buses on the roads sooner.”
The federal government’s Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan has set the target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and in NSW, the state government is committed to transitioning its current 8,000 diesel buses to Australia’s first totally zero emission fleet.
The Victorian government has committed to no longer purchasing diesel buses for its fleet post 2025.
ARCC’s new bus is planned to go into service in March, paving the way for the roll out of further vehicles in partnership with governments and bus operators.
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“We know the pathway to zero emissions requires balancing the needs of operators with the load constraints on the power grid, which is why hydrogen vehicles play an important role as fleet numbers scale,” Murley says.
“ARCC works with individual and industry-leading OEM (original equipment manufacturers) on customised solutions to suit various applications and routes.
“This achievement provides a local solution with potential reach beyond just buses, as the technology can be applied across further industries such as trucking, mining and agriculture.”
ARCC was a start-up business created six years ago by Murley, following his decades experience in the bus industry in Australia and overseas.
“This is a David and Goliath story, our small team has relied on grit and determination to achieve what many multinationals with huge amounts of capital are still trying to do, demonstrating Australia has outstanding capabilities within our shores,” Murley says.
“We don’t need to rely on supply, labour, or manufacture internationally, we can sustain an all-Australian industry, create jobs and propel our own economy, while reducing our carbon footprint as a nation.
“Watch this space, because this is just the tip of the iceberg for Australian industry, beyond buses, this has flow on advantages for many heavy haulage and industrial industries, as well as propelling Australia as a global player in this burgeoning renewable energy and manufacturing marketplace.”
Murley says creating change in the Australian transport industry would require a holistic, collaborative approach between technology and engineering companies and government.
ARCC has combined with H2H Energy, with the Australian company having refuelled the first hydrogen fuel cell electric coach in Australia and providing hydrogen refuelling solutions for another four hydrogen bus trials.
H2H CEO and founder Cranston Polson says ARCC’s completion of its hydrogen fuel cell bus was a game-changer for the Australian transport industry.
“Being able to engineer this level of technology within Australia means we can take control of our climate change and zero emissions targets and marks the first of many leaps and bounds in this industry,” he says.
“What ARCC have done is not just create an Australian hydrogen fuel cell bus, they’ve opened the door for investment and development of an entire Australian industry that has the potential to make zero emissions a reality for our generation.”
Since establishing their presence in the Australian market in 2015, H2H has remained at the leading edge of the nation’s hydrogen journey, delivering numerous hydrogen system ‘firsts’ in the industry.
“We have spent the last 24 months developing various means to change the way buses operate, establishing new models to change public transportation, increase patronage, reduce operational downtime and reduce the overall costs of the vehicle,” Murley says.
Currently, ARCC has three more prototype aluminium chassis under production and development, with technology being engineered for hydrogen fuel cell and electric propulsion.
ARCC is committed to the development of an Australian designed and built zero emission bus chassis that support local industry and operators with socially responsible engineering.